Gulbaram Ustenova

Acute intestinal infections remain one of the leading causes of morbidity among children under five years of age and represent an important public health challenge in both developed and developing countries. Although these infections often share similar clinical manifestations, their etiological structure, severity, diagnostic accessibility, treatment approaches, and prevention strategies differ considerably depending on socioeconomic conditions, sanitation, healthcare infrastructure, and vaccination coverage. Aim: This review aims to summarize current data on the epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of acute intestinal infections in children aged 1–5 years, as well as to provide a comparative analysis of approaches in countries with different income levels. Methods: A review of scientific literature focused on acute intestinal infections in young children was conducted. Source selection included full-text assessment. The extracted data were summarized descriptively according to pathogen groups: viral, bacterial, and protozoal infections. A PRISMA flow diagram was used to present the source selection process. Results: The reviewed literature indicates that viral pathogens, particularly rotavirus and norovirus, are among the leading causes of acute gastroenteritis in children under five years of age. According to Global Burden of Disease 2021 estimates, approximately 392.8 million diarrhoeal episodes and 0.34 million deaths occurred among children under five years of age globally in 2021, with mortality disproportionately concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Bacterial infections, including Shigella and diarrheagenic Escherichia coli, are less frequent but are more often associated with invasive disease, severe diarrhea, and systemic complications. Protozoal infections, including Giardia lamblia, may contribute to prolonged diarrhea, especially in children with malnutrition or weakened immune status. Substantial regional differences were identified in pathogen distribution, antimicrobial resistance, diagnostic capacity, access to healthcare, and vaccination coverage. In developing countries, the disease burden remains strongly associated with limited access to safe water, sanitation, timely diagnosis, and appropriate medical care, whereas in developed countries acute intestinal infections more commonly contribute to outbreaks, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. Conclusions: Acute intestinal infections in children aged 1–5 years remain an important global health burden with substantial regional disparities. Effective prevention and control require context-specific strategies combining high vaccination coverage, improved water, sanitation and hygiene, timely pathogen-specific diagnosis, rational antimicrobial use, and strengthened surveillance, with particular priority given to high-burden and resource-limited settings.

Larix sibirica is a conifer and a renewable source of chemically diverse constituents with pharmacological uses. This review examines its phytochemical composition, extraction strategies, and reported pharmacological activities, including preliminary studies of arabinogalactan-based drug carriers and sulfated lignins. The compiled database comprised 354 records representing 232 unique compounds reported in 25 publications, distributed among 16 phytochemical groups and 12 plant-source categories. Phenolics, terpenoids, lipids, arabinogalactan and lignans were concentrated unevenly across bark, needles, oleoresin, wood, knotwood and heartwood resin. Extraction remained dominated by conventional solvent partitioning, Soxhlet extraction, steam distillation and chromatography; aqueous ethanol enabled simultaneous recovery of arabinogalactan and taxifolin, but direct comparisons with intensified technologies were lacking. Antioxidant activity was supported mainly by chemical assays, whereas antiviral, antibacterial, neuritogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects relied predominantly on cellular or limited animal models. Arabinogalactan showed immunomodulatory and intestinal barrier effects and was investigated as a preclinical drug carrier, while sulfated lignins showed concentration-dependent effects in in vitro blood-compatibility assays. Nevertheless, heterogeneous preparations, inconsistent measurement bases and limited dose–response, pharmacokinetic and toxicological data restrict cross-study comparison and clinical interpretation. Future work should prioritize standardized sampling and extracts, validated quantitative LC-MS/MS and GC-MS methods, untargeted metabolomics, bioactivity-guided fractionation, controlled in vivo studies and systematic safety assessment. These advances are required to convert descriptive phytochemistry into reproducible evidence for therapeutic and industrial development.

Zygophyllum fabago L. is traditionally used in folk medicine due to its antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive morphological, anatomical, phytochemical, and microbiological investigation of Z. fabago collected in the Zhetysu region of Kazakhstan and to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of its extract. Morphological and microscopic analyses of the aerial parts were performed to establish diagnostic characteristics of the plant material. A 70% ethanolic extract obtained by ultrasonic extraction was subjected to GC-MS and LC-MS analyses, quantitative phytochemical assessment, and elemental profiling. The extract was further fractionated using solvents of different polarity. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against selected clinically relevant bacterial and fungal strains, while cytotoxicity was assessed using the Artemia salina model. Phytochemical analyses tentatively identified a diverse range of secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, sterols, triterpenoids, fatty acids, and other bioactive constituents, together with appreciable levels of phenolic compounds and mineral elements. Several solvent fractions exhibited antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms. In the Artemia salina assay, no detectable toxicity was observed for the ethanolic extract under the tested conditions. The results provide pharmacognostic and phytochemical data for Z. fabago collected in Kazakhstan and demonstrate the presence of diverse bioactive constituents. The observed antimicrobial activity and low toxicity in the applied screening model suggest that this species may represent a potential source of biologically active compounds and warrants further phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological investigations.

Кіріспе. Фармацевтикада биологиялық белсенді заттардың көзі ретінде дәрілік өсімдіктерге басымдық берілуде. DataHorizon Research болжамы бойынша, фитопрепараттардың әлемдік нарығы 2022 жылғы 192,6 млрд доллардан 2032 жылға қарай 357,1 млрд долларға дейін өседі (жылдық өсім 6,5%). Осы зерттеу аясында Polygonum туысының үш түрі (P. acerosum, P. argyrocoleon, P. aviculare) мен Achilleaтуысының екі түрінің (A. salicifolia, A. setacea) фармацевтикалық–технологиялық параметрлері мен сандық көрсеткіштері зерттелді. Мақсаты. Осы зерттеудің мақсаты ‒ биологиялық белсенді заттарды экстракциялау және фитопрепараттарды әзірлеу үшін Polygonum және Achilleaтуыстарына жататын дәрілік өсімдік шикізатының физикалық–химиялық көрсеткіштерін бағалау негізінде олардың фармацевтикалық–технологиялық параметрлерін анықтау. Материалдар мен әдістер. Фармацевтикалық–технологиялық параметрлерді анықтау бойынша салыстырмалы зерттеу жүргізілді. Шикізат 2024 жылғы маусым–тамызда Шығыс Қазақстанда жиналды. Тығыздық, кеуектілік, бос қабат көлемі, сіңіру коэффициенті (су, 30–90% этанол), ылғалдылық, күл мөлшері және экстрактивті заттардың шығымы анықталды. Барлық өлшеулер үш тәуелсіз серияда жүргізіліп (n=3), нәтижелері X \pm SD ретінде ұсынылды. Нәтижелер. Polygonum түрлерінің ішінде ең жоғары кеуектілік пен бос қабат көлемі P. aviculare–де (0,890±0,001 және 0,910±0,001) байқалды, ал экстрагентті сіңіру коэффициентінің ең төменгі мәндері P. acerosum–да байқалды (су үшін 1,00±0,01 мл/г). A. setacea 70% этанолмен (7,54±0,01 мл/г) ең жоғары Kn көрсетті. P. aviculare үшін экстракциялық заттардың ең жоғары шығымы 30% этанолмен 25,3%, ал A. salicifolia үшін сумен экстракцияланған кезде 27,2% болды. Кептіру кезінде салмақ жоғалту 6,01–6,73% аралығында, тұз қышқылында ерімейтін күл – 4,72–8,51% аралығында болды. Қорытынды. Зерттелген үлгілердің технологиялық параметрлеріндегі түр аралық айырмашылықтар олардың сорбциялық қасиеттері мен экстракция тиімділігіне тікелей әсер етті. Polygonum және Achillea туыстарының жекелеген өкілдерінде жоғары кеуектілік пен айқын сорбциялық көрсеткіштер тіркелді. Көптеген түрлер үшін сулы және 30–50% этанол ерітінділері экстрактивті заттардың максималды шығымын қамтамасыз етті. Алынған деректер экстракт құрамын тереңірек зерттеу мен экстракция процесін ұлғайту үшін негіз болады. Түйінді сөздер: Polygonum, Achillea,дәрілік өсімдіктер, өсімдік сығындылары, фармакогнозия. Introduction. In pharmaceutical science, medicinal plants are prioritized as valuable sources of biologically active substances. According to the DataHorizon Research forecast, the global phytopreparations market will grow from 192,6 billion in 2022 to 357,1 billion dollars by 2032 (representing an annual growth rate of 6,5%). This study investigated the pharmaceutical–technological and quantitative parameters of three Polygonum (P. acerosum, P. argyrocoleon, P. aviculare) and two Achillea (A. salicifolia, A. setacea). Aim. The aim is to determine the pharmaceutical–technological parameters of Polygonumand Achillea raw materials by evaluating their physicochemical properties, which are necessary for the efficient extraction of active substances and phytopreparation development. Materials and methods. A comparative study was conducted using plant material collected in East Kazakhstan (June–August 2024). We determined density, porosity, free layer volume, absorption coefficient (water, 30–90% ethanol), moisture content, ash content, and extractive substance yield. All measurements were performed in three independent series (n=3), with results presented as X\pm SD. Results. Among Polygonum, P. aviculare exhibited the highest porosity (0,890±06001) and free layer volume (0,910±0,001), while the minimum extractant absorption coefficient was noted in P. acerosum (1,00±0,01 ml/g for water). A. setacea demonstrated a maximum Kn with 70% ethanol (7,54±0,01 ml/g). The maximum extractive yield for P. aviculare was 25,3% (30% ethanol), and for A. salicifolia it was 27,2% (aqueous extraction). Mass loss on drying was 6,01–6.73%, and hydrochloric acid ash was 4,72–8,51%. Conclusion. Interspecific differences directly impacted the sorption properties and extraction efficiency of the samples. High...

Кіріспе. Азиялық жалбыз (Mentha asiatica Boriss.) – антисептикалық, қабынуға қарсы және спазмолитикалық қасиеттерімен танымал жалбыз (Mentha L.) тұқымдасының өкілі. Бұл өсімдіктің фармакологиялық белсенділігі биологиялық белсенді қосылыстардың, соның ішінде монотерпендер (ментол, ментон, пулегон), сесквитерпендер (β-кариофиллен) және флавоноидтардың жоғары құрамымен байланысты, олар ағзадағы физиологиялық процестерге кешенді әсер етеді. Фармакологиялық қасиеттерінің оң әсеріне қарамастан, кейбір зерттеулер фенолдық қосылыстар мен терпеноидтар ұзақ уақыт қолданғанда немесе жоғары дозаларда нефро- және гепатоуыттылық тудыруы мүмкін екенін көрсетеді. Жануарларға жүргізілген тәжірибелер жоғары концентрациядағы азиялық жалбыз (Mentha asiatica Boriss.) экстракттары бауыр, бүйрек және асқазан тіндерінде дистрофиялық өзгерістер мен некрозға әкелуі мүмкін екенін көрсетті. Ұзақ уақыт жоғары дозада қолданғанда бауыр жасушаларының митохондриялық белсенділігінде өзгерістер байқалды, бұл ішкі органдардыңзақымдануына алып келеді. Мақсаты. Азиялық жалбыз (Mentha asiatica Boriss.) экстрактының қауіпсіздігін, өткір және созылмалы уыттылығын бағалау. Материалдар мен әдістер. Зерттеу салмақтары 20-30 г, жасы 8-10 апталық, аталық (♂) ақ түсті альбинос тышқандарға жүргізілді. Жануарлар стандартты виварий жағдайында ұсталып, зерттеу басталғанға дейін 10 күндік карантиннен өтті. Экстракт 14 күн бойы зонд арқылы пероральды жолмен енгізілді. Тәжірибе аяқталғаннан кейін жануарлар декапитация әдісімен өлтірілді, содан кейін бауыр, бүйрек және асқазан тіндерінің морфологиялық және гистологиялық зерттеулері гистологиялық жалпы қабылданған принциптерге сәйкес гематоксилин-эозин бояуымен жүргізілді. Нәтижелер. Бақылау тобының ағзалар құрылымында айтарлықтай өзгерістер байқалмады. 500 мг/кг дозасын алған топта бүйрек стромасының ісінуі және асқазан бездері эпителийінің паренхиматозды дистрофиясы анықталды. 2000 мг/кг дозасында бауырда некроз ошақтары, бүйрек өзекшелері эпителийінің тегістелуі, сондай-ақ асқазан тіндерінің ісінуі байқалды. 5000 мг/кг дозасында бауырда кең көлемді некроз, асқазанның шырышты қабатының бұзылуы және бүйректерде айқын дистрофиялық өзгерістер анықталды. Қорытынды. Алынған деректер азиялық жалбыз экстрактының уыттылығының дозаға тәуелді сипатын растайды. Доза артқан сайын ағзалардағы морфологиялық өзгерістер зақымданудың айқын (гепато және нефроуыттылығын) белгілерін көрсетеді. Введение. Азиатская мята (Mentha asiatica Boriss.) -представитель рода мята (Mentha L.), известный своими антисептическими, противовоспалительными и спазмолитическими свойствами. Фармакологическая активность этого растения связана с высоким содержанием биологически активных соединений, включая монотерпены (ментол, ментон, пулегон), сесквитерпены (β-кариофиллен) и флавоноиды, которые оказывают комплексное влияние на физиологические процессы в организме. Несмотря на положительное воздействие фармакологических свойств, некоторые исследования показывают, что фенольные соединения и терпеноиды могут вызывать нефро- и гепатотоксичность при длительном применении или высоких дозах. Эксперименты на животных показали, что экстракты азиатской мяты (Mentha asiatica Boriss.) в высоких концентрациях могут приводить к дистрофическим изменениям и некрозу тканей печени, почек и желудка....

This study comprehensively investigates the anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and toxicological properties of Pla n tago major CO 2 extract using a series of in vivo experimental models in rats and mice. The anti-inflammatory activity was assessed in two models of acute inflammation. In the carrageenan-induced paw edema model, which reflects prostagla n din-mediated inflammation, the extract demonstrated a dose-dependent effect. At the highest dose of 50 mg/kg, paw swe l ling was reduced by up to 43% during peak inflammation, though the effect remained inferior to that of the reference drug, sodium diclofenac. In the zymosan-induced paw edema model, which mimics leukotriene-driven inflammation via the lipoxygenase pathway, the extract at a dose of 50 mg/kg significantly inhibited edema formation throughout the exper i ment and showed comparable efficacy to quercetin, suggesting potential lipoxygenase inhibition. The reparative effects of the extract were examined in a linear skin incision model. Administration of the extract at 50 mg/kg significantly increased the tensile strength of the wound (578.4 ± 4.2 vs. 416.6 ± 6.0 g in the control group), accelerated granulation tissue form a tion, and normalized serum protein levels, indicating improved wound healing capacity. In acute toxicity studies, no signs of behavioral abnormalities or mortality were observed in rats or mice following a single oral dose of up to 5000 mg/kg. According to standard toxicological classifications, the extract can be considered practically non-toxic. Taken together, the results indicate that P. major CO 2 extract possesses moderate but stable anti-inflammatory activity, notable wound-healing potential, and excellent safety. These findings support the further pharmacological development of the extract and hig h light its promise as a plant-derived therapeutic agent for treating inflammatory conditions and promoting tissue repair.

Ceratocarpus arenarius (Chenopodiaceae) is an under-investigated annual plant that occurs in dry areas stretching from eastern and south-eastern Europe to East Asia. This article presents the botanical characterization and examination of proximate parameters, minerals and cytotoxic activity of C. arenarius that grows wild in Kazakhstan. The results of morphological analysis using a light microscope, based on cross-sections of stems, roots and leaves, provide the necessary data to develop a regulatory document for this herbal substance as a raw material for use in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. The investigated proximate characteristics included moisture content (6.8 ± 0.28%), ash (5.9 ± 0.40%), fat (12.5 ± 21.28%) and protein (392.85 ± 25.50). The plant is also rich in minerals (mg/100 g dry weight); Na (20.48 ± 0.29), K (302.73 ± 1.15), Zn (4.45 ± 0.35), Fe (1.18 ± 0.03), Cu (0.11 ± 0.02), Mn (0.76 ± 0.01), Ca (131.23 ± 0.09) and Mg (60.69 ± 0.72). The ethanolic extract of C. arenarius showed no acute toxicity against the brine shrimp nauplii.

The article presents parameters for obtaining a carbon dioxide extract from the subterranean part of Eryngium planum that contains a valuable set of organic substances and has a certain antimicrobial effect. Methods. Raw materials were collected in the Almaty region (Republic of Kazakhstan). The CO₂ extract of Eryngium planum herbs was obtained under subcritical conditions. A gas chromatograph with a mass spectrometric detector was used to determine the compositional breakdown of the extract. Antimicrobial activity was determined by two methods: the micromethod of serial dilutions and the disk-diffusion method. Three microbial test strains were used: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538-P, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231. Results. To extract biologically active substances from the subterranean part of Eryngium planum L., we have chosen carbon dioxide extraction technology, a technology for processing carbon dioxide (CO₂) raw materials, which allows us to extract various substances in high concentrations. Carbon dioxide extraction technology is an effective and environmentally safe way to isolate various biologically active substances contained in medicinal plant raw materials. In the composition of the CO₂ extract of Eryngium planum L. 43 components were identified, the main of which are α-linolenic acid, 8.30; myristic acid, 6.40; caryophyllene, 6.92; spatulous, 6.62; and other main identified compounds and their percentage. Conclusions. The study showed that the CO₂ extract of Eryngium planum L. contains biologically active compounds that have a pronounced antimicrobial effect against clinically significant microorganisms, such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans.

Numerous natural habitats, such as soil, air, fermented foods, and human stomachs, are home to different Bacillus strains. Some Bacillus strains have a distinctive predominance and are widely recognized among other microbial communities, as a result of their varied habitation and physiologically active metabolites. The present study collected vegetable products (potato, carrot, and tomato) from local markets in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The bacterial isolates were identified using biochemical and phylogenetic analyses after culturing. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed three Gram-positive bacterial isolates BSS11, BSS17, and BSS19 showing 99% nucleotide sequence similarities with Bacillus subtilis O-3, Bacillus subtilis Md1-42, and Bacillus subtilis Khozestan2. The crude extract was prepared from bacterial isolates to assess the antibiotic resistance potency and the antimicrobial potential against various targeted multidrug-resistant strains, including Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus group B, Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella sonnei, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella enteritidis, Klebsiella aerogenes, Enterococcus hirae, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, and Proteus vulgaris. This study found that the species that were identified have the ability to produce antibiotic chemicals. Additionally, the GC–MS analysis of three bacterial extracts revealed the presence of many antibiotic substances including phenol, benzoic acid, 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid and bis(2-methylpropyl), methoxyphenyl-oxime, and benzaldehyde. This work sheds light on the potential of Bacillus to be employed as an antimicrobial agent to target different multidrug-resistant bacterial strains. The results indicate that market vegetables may be a useful source of strains displaying a range of advantageous characteristics that can be used in the creation of biological antibiotics.

Onosma roots are widely used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases throughout the world. In this study, for the first time, we investigated the component composition and biological activity of various extracts from the roots of Onosma gmelinii collected in the highlands of the Kakpakty Mountains of the Almaty region (Republic of Kazakhstan). Extracts were obtained by three different methods: percolation extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. The component composition of the extracts was determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), naphthoquinones by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and spectrophotometric method. In this study, the presence of shikonin and its derivatives in the extracts was confirmed. The concentration of naphthoquinones during CO₂ extraction was about 40, during ultrasonic extraction about 3, and during percolation extraction about 1.3. The GC-MS method identified 69 chemical compounds in the ultrasonic extract, 46 compounds in the CO₂ extract, and 51 compounds in the percolation extract. The extracts were tested on a panel of bacteria and viruses: two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027); nine Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538-P, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC BAA-39, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 51625, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228, Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19615, Streptococcus pneumoniae ATCC BAA-660, Enterococcus hirae ATCC 10541, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 51575, Enterococcus faecium ATCC 700221); and two fungal species (Candida albicans ATCC 10231, Candida albicans ATCC 2091); five subtypes of influenza virus A (A/FPV/Weybridge/78 (H7N7), A/Swine/Iowa/15/30 (H1N1), A/black-headed gull/Atyrau/743/04 (H13N6), A/FPV/Rostock/1934 (H7N1), A/Almaty/8/98 (H3N2)). The root extracts of Onosma gmelinii showed antibacterial activity in different degrees against all tested Gram-positive bacterial strains, while no inhibitory effect on Gram-negative bacteria was observed. The results indicated that the ultrasonic extract effectively inhibits the growth of the majority of tested Gram-positive bacteria (MBC from 18.3 to 293.0µg/mL). CO₂ extract had the greatest bactericidal activity (MBC from 0.1 to 24.4µg/mL). Percolation extract insignificantly inhibited bacterial growth (MBC from 2343.8 to 4687.5µg/mL). CO₂ extract and ultrasonic extract significantly reduced the activity of C. albicans. The results of the antiviral action showed that the ultrasonic extract has the greatest effectiveness against different subtypes of the influenza virus A, while other extracts did not show significant activity.